There are several ways to travel from Heathrow to central London. The best option depends on where you’re going, your budget and how quickly you want to get there.
Fastest: Heathrow Express is the fastest way to central London. Trains run non-stop to London Paddington. The journey from Terminals 2 & 3 takes 15 minutes, with a few extra minutes from Terminal 5.
Direct to more parts of London: The Elizabeth line connects Heathrow with stations across central London. These include Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon and Liverpool Street.
Lowest cost: The Piccadilly line is the lowest-cost rail option. It serves all Heathrow terminals and takes you into central London.
Door to door: Taxis are available outside each terminal. This can be a good option if you have lots of bags or want to travel straight to your destination.
Heathrow has a range of Official Parking options to suit different trips and budgets.
Park & Ride is our lowest-cost parking option. Free shuttle buses take you between the car park and terminal.
Priority Park & Ride offers a faster shuttle service where available.
Terminal Parking puts you close to the terminal, making it a good choice for shorter stays or if you want less walking.
Meet & Greet Parking lets you leave your car and keys with our team. We’ll park your car for you while you’re away.
Valet Parking lets you leave your car with our team at the terminal forecourt.
Terminal 5 Pod Parking uses driverless electric pods to take you between the car park and Terminal 5. The journey takes around six minutes.
Parking options vary by terminal. We recommend booking in advance for our best prices.
Most Official Heathrow Parking bookings can be changed or cancelled for free up to two hours before your booked arrival time.
Follow directions for your Heathrow Terminal – the Terminal Parking (formerly Short Stay) car parks are clearly signposted from the approach roads. The terminals are just a short walk away.
Also valid for Terminal 2 Valet Parking and Meet & Greet
Also valid for Terminal 3 Valet Parking and Meet & Greet
Also valid for Terminal 4 Valet Parking and Meet & Greet
Also valid for Terminal 5 Valet Parking and Meet & Greet
To see all of our car parks - see Finding our car parks
Yes. Parking arrangements at Terminal 4 changed in June 2026.
Terminal 4 parking is now in Zone A of the Terminal 4 Park & Ride car park. Free shuttle buses run between the car park and Terminal 4.
Meet & Greet Parking is not currently available at Terminal 4.
If you’re travelling from Terminal 4, check the latest parking information before you travel.
If your flight is delayed, check the information in your parking booking confirmation.
If you need help, call the contact number in your confirmation and the parking team will tell you what to do.
Yes. You can choose different departure and arrival terminals when you book Meet & Greet Parking, where the service is available.
Enter your flight and terminal details when you book so we can make the right arrangements for your return.
Yes. Most Official Heathrow Parking bookings can be changed or cancelled for free up to two hours before your booked arrival time.
Use Manage my booking to make changes or cancel your booking.
Yes. Height limits vary by car park.
Terminal Parking (formerly Short Stay): The maximum height at the barriers for our Terminal Parking, previously known as Short Stay, car parks, is 2.2m (7ft 2in).
Heathrow Park & Ride (formerly Long Stay): The maximum height at the exit barriers for our Park & Ride car parks is 2.4m (8ft).
Pod Parking: There are no height restrictions for our Pod Parking car park.
Heathrow does not currently provide electric vehicle charging in its car parks.
If you’re driving an electric vehicle, make sure you have enough charge before you arrive.
Fast and rapid charging points are available near Heathrow.
Yes. Heathrow is within London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
If your vehicle does not meet the ULEZ emissions standards, you may need to pay a daily charge when driving to Heathrow.
Check your vehicle on the Transport for London website before you travel.
There may be, depending on your vehicle and where you drive.
Charges can include the Congestion Charge, Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and Low Emission Zone (LEZ).
Check your vehicle and route on the Transport for London website before you travel.
Yes. You can drop passengers off in the dedicated drop-off area outside each terminal.
A £7 Terminal Drop-Off Charge applies each time you enter a terminal drop-off area.
You can pay before your visit, on the day or by midnight the following day. You cannot pay at a ticket machine or in the drop-off area.
Yes. Free drop-off is available at Heathrow Park & Ride car parks.
Passengers can take a free shuttle bus from the car park to the terminal.
If you want to drop someone off directly outside their terminal, the £7 Terminal Drop-Off Charge applies.
Yes, but you cannot pick up passengers or wait in the terminal drop-off areas.
For Terminals 2, 3 and 5, use Terminal Parking or Park & Ride. The first 29 minutes in Park & Ride are free.
Different arrangements apply at Terminal 4. You can use the Priority Pick-Up area outside Arrivals for a fee. You can also use Zone A of the Terminal 4 Park & Ride car park, where the first two hours are free.
If the person you’re collecting has not arrived yet, use one of our parking options rather than waiting on the terminal forecourt.
Park & Ride can be a good option if you need to wait. The first 29 minutes are free at Terminals 2, 3 and 5.
At Terminal 4, you can wait in Zone A of the Park & Ride car park for up to two hours for free.
Check your passenger’s flight before you travel so you can plan when to arrive.
You can travel between Heathrow terminals using free transport.
The best route depends on which terminals you’re travelling between. Follow the signs when you arrive or check your route before you travel.
If you’re connecting between flights, follow the purple Flight Connections signs rather than making your own way to another terminal.
Please select the terminals you wish to transfer between below.
If you need support with Impairments or mobility difficulties:
Find out how to request assistanceTransfer between terminals map:
See all routes between terminals
